هَـٰذَا هُدًى ۖ وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ رَبِّهِمْ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ مِّن رِّجْزٍ أَلِيمٌ 11
Translations
This [Qur’ān] is guidance. And those who have disbelieved in the verses of their Lord will have a painful punishment of foul nature.
Transliteration
Hādhā hudān wa-alladhīna kafarū bi-āyāti rabbihim lahum 'adhābun min rijzin alīm
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah presents a stark contrast: the Quran is guidance for those who accept it, while those who reject the signs of their Lord face painful punishment described as 'rijz' (filth/corruption). Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that rejection of divine signs is not mere disbelief but active rebellion, and the punishment reflects the severity of this transgression—'alīm' (painful/grievous) underscoring both physical and spiritual torment.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Meccan surah Al-Jathiyah, which addresses the polytheists of Mecca who rejected the Prophet Muhammad's message despite clear proofs. The surah emphasizes divine wisdom in creation and judgment, and this particular verse reinforces the consequences of willful rejection of God's guidance during a period of intense opposition to the Prophet.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Whoever believes in Allah and His signs, Allah will guide them' (Tirmidhi). Additionally, 'The worst punishment on the Day of Resurrection will be for those who rejected the signs of Allah' (various chains in classical collections).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that the Quran itself is a complete guidance requiring sincere acceptance and implementation, while warning of the grave consequences of obstinate rejection of God's signs. For modern readers, it emphasizes that knowledge of truth carries responsibility—rejection is not merely an intellectual position but incurs spiritual consequences.
Related Ayahs
أَمْ حَسِبَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱجْتَرَحُوا۟ ٱلسَّيِّـَٔاتِ أَن نَّجْعَلَهُمْ كَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ سَوَآءً مَّحْيَاهُمْ وَمَمَاتُهُمْ ۚ سَآءَ مَا يَحْكُمُونَ
Or do those who commit evils think We will make them like those who have believed and done righteous deeds - [make them] equal in their life and their death? Evil is that which they judge [i.e., assume].
وَبَدَا لَهُمْ سَيِّـَٔاتُ مَا عَمِلُوا۟ وَحَاقَ بِهِم مَّا كَانُوا۟ بِهِۦ يَسْتَهْزِءُونَ
And the evil consequences of what they did will appear to them, and they will be enveloped by what they used to ridicule.
ثُمَّ جَعَلْنَـٰكَ عَلَىٰ شَرِيعَةٍ مِّنَ ٱلْأَمْرِ فَٱتَّبِعْهَا وَلَا تَتَّبِعْ أَهْوَآءَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
Then We put you, [O Muḥammad], on an ordained way concerning the matter [of religion]; so follow it and do not follow the inclinations of those who do not know.
هَـٰذَا بَصَـٰٓئِرُ لِلنَّاسِ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّقَوْمٍ يُوقِنُونَ
This [Qur’ān] is enlightenment for mankind and guidance and mercy for a people who are certain [in faith].